New Legislation Improves Protection For Migratory Birds

WASHINGTON-Reps. Jared Huffman (CA-2) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) introduced the Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2024 today. The bill would amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 to create a new permit program, authorize civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation for harm to birds, and require reports to Congress on, among other things, the conservation status of migratory birds.

Following is a statement from Giulia C.S. Good Stefani, Senior Attorney for the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"This legislation strikes the right balance, protecting migratory birds while recognizing the reality that many activities can inadvertently harm birds. It creates new incidental take permits in exchange for much-needed conservation measures.

"This would be a long-overdue modernization of a century-old statute, using proven tools to address devastating bird losses-such as completely avoidable mass bird deaths associated with the oil and gas industry."

Background:

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 implements four international conservation treaties that the United States entered with Canada, Mexico, Japan, and Russia. It is intended to ensure the protection of migratory bird species by imposing criminal penalties on unauthorized activities that lead to the death of covered species. The Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2024 would amend the Migratory Bird Treaty Act to include an incidental take permitting program, civil penalties (up to $10,000 per violation), and regular reports on the status of migratory birds to Congress. These important changes will guide United States Fish and Wildlife Services' approach to protecting migratory birds that may be impacted, for example, by energy development on federal lands and help to ensure impacts are avoided and minimized to the greatest extent possible.

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).